The Message to the Church at Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” (Revelation 2:1-3)

This is clearly a message from the Lord to the Pastor of the church at Ephesus, for the church. It was sent through John, but it is not from him. The Lord describes himself as holding the seven pastors of the churches in his hand and walking among the churches. He is intimately aware of what is going on, and is in many ways complimentary. The description is impressive.

They have been doing what God has commanded, and they have actually worked at it, rather than just sliding by. The effort has continued despite less than impressive results, trials, and discouragements. They hate evil. They have checked the claims of various teachers and identified the false ones. They have been faithful to his name, serving him unflaggingly. They are doctrinally sound and doing all the right things, but still there is a problem.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

We’ve all seen the newly married couple who are so wrapped up in each other they hardly have time for anything else. They can’t wait for quitting time so thay can be with their mate. Their holding hands as they walk or drive, and she sits next to him. They are more apt to be talking to each other than to their friends when there is a get together, and when they talk to their friends, the subject is likely to drift toward things about their mate. They eagerly go to things the other likes even though they don’t care for them themselves. That first love is wonderful.

Unfortunately, most couples reach a point where they begin to take their time together for granted. They are no longer in a hurry to see their mate. They sit on opposite sides of the car, and rarely hold hands. They no longer direct talk to their mate unless there is some thin dramatic to report, or they are upset about something, and they either drop things the other doesn’t enjoy as much, or they begin to spend more time doing their own thing.

While the marriage still appears to be solid, and most would consider themselves happy, they have left that first love. The marriage is no longer what it once was. Other things have taken precedence over the relationship to each other. Much of the pleasure is gone, and temptations can begin to enter as a result. The behavior has less to do with pleasing their mate than with doing what they are supposed to do.

This later was the state of the Church at Ephesus. They were doing the same basic things, but out of a sense of obligation, rather than freely from love. They can cure the problem by remembering where they have come from, and that they got there by what Christ has done for them. By focusing on what he has done for them and is doing for them they can renew their love for him. Failure to repent, to rebuild that relationship with Christ will result in the collapse of the church, or in it‘s becoming no longer a testimonial to Christ. Action needs to be taken immediately.

There is one area where the church is especially commended. “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.” (Revelation 2:6) They hate the same thing God hates, the deeds of the Nocolaitanes. Since there is no record of a group called the Nicolaitanes, we will need to identify what he means adifferent way.

The word Nicolaitane is derived from the Greek “nicolaus” meaning “To conquer or rule over the people.” Jesus Specifically forbid this practice in Matthew 20:25-28. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

His comments are repeated in Mark 10:42-45 and again in Luke 22:25-27. Samuel recognized that Israel was sinning in demanding an earthly king to take God’s place, according to I Samuel 10:19. “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.”

God revealed that it was wicked to the people in I Samuel 12: 6-20, because they were replacing God with a man. As he says in Revelation 2:6, he hates this, and compliments the Ephesian church because they hated it as well.

He then directs that everyone who is able listen to the messages to each of the churches. There is a promise to those who are victorious in these things.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

Revelation 22:14 tells us, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” They are guaranteed access to the new home of the Saints, New Jerusalem.